January 14, 2016 -Tergar Monastery, Bodh Gaya, Bihar India
On a warm and sunny day, unusual for this time of year, the Third Arya Kshema Winter Dharma Gathering began with the Gyalwang Karmapa entering the main shrine hall at Tergar Monastery and offering three prostrations to its golden Buddha and to the life-like statue of the Sixteenth Karmapa resting on a throne on front. The hall itself was filled with over 410 nuns attending from nine nunneries in Nepal, India, and Bhutan. The sides of the hall were lined with observers including many nuns and lay women from all over the world. The webcast in English, Chinese, and Spanish made this morning’s session available to more than two thousand listeners.

The participants have come to hear the Karmapa teach every morning for fourteen days on Gampopa’s Ornament of Precious Liberation; they are Read the rest of this article

Today His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa visited the Mahabodhi Stupa in Bodhgaya. After meeting with the head monk and the main secretary of the temple, the Karmapa walked down the main staircase and under the first gate draped in garlands of bright orange marigolds.

Led by the Nyingma Khentrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche and other Nyingma khenpos, the Karmapa passed by thousands of disciples from East and West who had come to participate in this twenty-seventh Nyingma Prayer Festival. Their offerings of white scarves and flowers lined the path into the main temple where the Karmapa offered his prostrations and prayers along with lamps and robes to the radiant statue of the Buddha.

the Karmapa walked outside the temple to the main altar for the festival, filled with offerings and beautiful tormas. Here the Read the rest of this article

January 6, 2106 -Bodhgaya, Bihar, India
At the invitation of the Thupten Dorjedrak Aeam Chogar Chokhor Namgyal Ling Buddhist Institute, His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa came to the Nyigma Vajrakilaya Buddhist Temple this morning to pay his respects to the Kudung of Kyabje Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, who passed away in Bodhgaya on December 23, 2015. Supreme Head of the ngagyur Nyingma tradition, Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche belonged to its northern terma lineage and founded the monastery of Thupten Dorje Drak near Shimla. He also had a close connection to the 16th Karmapa Rigpe Dorje, from whom he received the cycles of teachings and empowerments known as the Treasury of Oral Instructions and the Treasury of Kagyu Mantras.

January 1, 2016 – Bodhgaya,Bihar.
His Holiness left Tergar Monastery in the early morning to begin the western New Year by offering his homage at the Mahabodhi Temple, marking the place where the Buddha attained full awakening. The Gyalwang Karmapa was welcomed to the sacred site by Mr. N.T. Dorje, Secretary of the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee, and the Head Monk-in-Charge the Venerable Bande.

The Gyalwang Karmapa passed under the first gate, covered in beautiful flowers, and descended the long steps on the path to the main temple. Along both sides stood disciples holding white offering scarves and colorful blossoms to brighten his passage and receive his blessing. Once inside the shrine, His Holiness offered to the radiant Buddha statue, golden robes along with heaping bowls of fruit and generous arrangements of flowers. After Read the rest of this article

Today is the first day of 2016 and as such we are very happy to present you with a new Podcast episode where His Holiness gives a brief but powerful teaching on breathing (shamatha) meditation.

This particular recording comes from a recent trip to Europe where His Holiness began talking about how dissatisfaction often creeps into our lives because we are so focused on outer forms of “happiness” and entertainment. These may seem like they bring happiness but actually just lead to more and more wants.

His Holiness then spoke about how breathing meditation can serve to “bring us home” because it is very natural and resting by its Read the rest of this article

Quotes from the 17th Karmapa

Each person must find his or her own path. Nonetheless, seek guidance from wise and compassionate people and listen to them earnestly. This will help you find the best way to proceed – now and in the future.- Karmapa on Guidance

All traditions, whether religious or secular, have developed to benefit human society. In the event that a tradition or system becomes harmful, there’s no need to insist on following it.- Karmapa on Tradition

Human beings are the most intelligent and resourceful species on earth. If we use our intelligence to cause more suffering, rather than to bring some real benefit to others and ourselves, we are no better than beasts.- Karmapa on Intelligence

Just to simply relax and rest in your own natural state is all that you need to do. When you give yourself that opportunity, you’ll find that presence extends to the other parts of your life.- Karmapa on Meditation

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